First anti-gay marriage ads begin running in Washington

Preserve Marriage Washington, the campaign seeking to reject the same-sex marriage law Gov. Chris Gregoire signed in February, has released its first campaign ad

The 32-second spot urging voters to reject Referendum 74 is hardly the bombshell opponents had anticipated.

It starts out, ironically, with a flowing rainbow flag – the symbol of the gay rights movement – and goes on to state that gays and lesbians in the state already have the same rights as married people.

And, in an attempt to hammer home the point that gays are not the enemy, especially in a state that traditionally has been supportive of gay rights, it ends with the line: “You can oppose same-sex marriage and not be anti-gay.”

The ad began running across the state today, the first of a series planned through the Nov. 6 election.

“Our first advertisement shows how Referendum 74 is not about equality — it’s about redefining the institution of marriage,” said Joseph Backholm, campaign chairman.

Zach Silk, campaign manager of Washington United for Marriage, which is seeking to uphold the same-sex marriage law said, “There is nothing new here, nothing that they haven’t dredged up before, and nothing that’s held up to to the light of day.”

“Simply put, our law hurts no one, and better protects all loving couples and their families. “

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Politics Northwest is the go-to blog for politics in our region. The blog explores national, state and local political news and issues. Reporters from Washington, D.C., to Seattle City Hall to the state capital in Olympia contribute. Editors are Richard Wagoner and Beth Kaiman.